A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1456-1531
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Diffiance, -aunce, Diffyans, n. [ME. diffi-, dyffyance (15th c.), var. of defyance, etc.] = Defyance. — 1456 Hay I. 164/9.
Nocht brekand gude faith … fra trewis be gevin our, and diffiaunce maid a1500 Lancelot of the Laik 567.
To yow, sir king, than frome my lord am I With diffyans sent 1531 Bell. Boece I. 81.
As to thair wrangus and injust weris, thay have the same in plane diffiance
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"Diffiance n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/diffiance>
